August 21, 2014 | Daily Monitoring Report.

Main Story

Somali PM says return of Somali refugees is significant contributions to the country

21 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/RBC – 182 words

The Prime Minister of Somalia visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to deliberate the refugee state of affairs and launching the Global Initiative on Somali Refugees (GISR).

Among the host were; Special Representative of the Secretary General, and representatives of AU, IGAD. H.E Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed stated that there are over 1 million Somalis who mostly live as refugees as well as another million who are displaced as a result of conflict, drought and famine and other ills afflicting the Somali nation.

Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed expressed how grateful he is to donors and agencies such as UNHCR and other sister UN agencies, the IOM, NGOs both local and International, for extending help to Somali refugee and IDPs, nevertheless they do not adequately match the needs: witness the chronically underfunded Humanitarian Appeal for Somalia.

“I want to express the deeply felt gratitude of myself and the Somali people for the asylum accorded to them and for the kind hospitality with which way they are being hosted by their brothers and sisters in the five neighboring countries here represented.” Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed stated.

Key Headlines

AMISOM convenes a workshop to draft a National Policy (AMISOM)
Somali PM says return of Somali refugees is significant contributions to the country (Radio Mogadishu)
Ministerial meeting reaffirms commitment to solving Somalia crisis (UNHCR)
Adado security heightened ahead of the state formation conference (Radio Bar-kulan)
Somali war lord escapes from the city operation (Somali Current)
Lower Shabelle governor: SNA and AMISOM will advance to al Shabaab controlled areas (Radio Goobjoog)
Somali government launches maternal and child health initiatives (Sabahi Online)
Attorney General orders security agencies to bring arrested individuals to court within 24-Hours (Radio RBC)
How British terror suspect Jermaine Grant disclosed his true identity (Standard Media)
Government forces in Baidoa besiege ADC building (Radio Goobjoog/Saadaal News)
20 Somali nationals arrested in Angolan capital (Radio Bar-kulan)
Landmine explosion in Kismayo hits ICRC vehicle (Radio Goobjoog)
Kenya: Eastleigh business struggling to pick up after security operation (Star-Kenya)
Kenyan police produce Westgate attackers’ weapon in court as evidence (AFP)

PRESS STATEMENT

Clarification on 15th August Radio Shabelle/Radio SKY FM Incident

21 Aug- Source: Ministry of Information-465 words

Dr Ahmed Ali Dahir, the Attorney General has today clarified the incident that occurred on Friday 15th August 2014 related to the closure of Radio Shabelle and Radio SKY FM (operating in the same office) and the detention of station staff. The Attorney General said that the operation was conducted legally, as he ordered the security forces to immediately stop the deliberate incitement and provocation that the two radio stations were airing. The radio stations were broadcasting live and calling upon the people to rise up in an illegal, clannish manner, inciting them to attack the security forces while they were in the process of conducting the disarmament process in the city. Both radio stations were encouraging public to take up arms against government forces. As a result of these broadcasts there were demonstrations in some parts of the city that led to killing of innocent people.

The Attorney General said “ The Office of the Attorney General, having listened to both radio stations’ broadcasts, decided that it was absolutely necessary for public safety to immediately halt such incitement and provocation. I therefore ordered the Somali security forces to immediately close Shabelle and SKY FM radio stations (which were in violation of Somali constitution). We released 18 of the detainees within 48 hours. However, 3 people remain in custody as we believe that they were responsible for the provocative broadcasts made on Friday. On 17th August we asked the Banadir Regional Court for an extension of their detention by 21 days in order to complete our investigations and the Judge granted that request. After we complete our investigation we will bring them to court to face trail.”

Dr Ahmed Ali Dahir, the Attorney General continued: “I assigned this case to the deputy Attorney General, who has a wealth experience of these kinds of cases, to ensure that the accused receive a fair trial. My office has received complaints of torture against the 3 detainees, and I immediately ordered an investigation to the matter. However, I can confirm to you that the Banadir Regional Judge, having investigated the accusations, found no substance to allegations against torture and declared these allegations were pure fabrication.“

Dr Ahmed Ali Dahir stated that the Attorney General’s Office always ensures that citizens and institutions can be confident that they will receive a fair trial and concluded: “We will never allow Somali citizens to be subject of torture and I order all security institutions to be very mindful and sensitive when dealing with citizens. These institutions must carry out their duties without any form of human rights violation. The Attorney General’s Office is there to uphold the rule of law and to protect citizens from any harm or human rights violations, which is their legal right as stipulated in our provisional constitution.”

AMISOM convenes a workshop to draft a National Policy

21 Aug- Source: AMISOM- 428 words

AMISOM Protection, Gender and Human Rights Unit convened a four (4) day consultative workshop to work on the drafting of Somalia first policy on Child protection in the country’s capital Mogadishu.

The workshop that was conducted jointly by Federal Government of Somalia, civil Society and supported by AMISOM discussed how the policy can be further developed to ensure protection and welfare of the rights of children.

The policy will be implemented based on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in order to guide the process of developing legislation and implementation of an Action Plan that will promote equal rights and opportunities for children in the specific context of Somalia.

During the four days consultations workshops, participants will work together to identify key areas of priorities, challenges and strategies to tackles child issues while learning from other countries.

The Minister of Women and Human Rights Honorable Khadija Mohamed Diriye thanked AMISOM and Civil Society groups for the initiative saying that the policy will be in line with the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children and the Gender Policy.

“The policy will assist our government in monitoring, reporting and taking necessary measures to improve the rights of children in the country because children are the future generation of this country”.

Speaking during the workshop, Kaoutar Kaddouri, AMISOM Women and Child Protection Officer noted the importance of engaging government, civil society, youth activists, religious leaders, Elders on the discussions aimed to address the protection of the future generation of this country.

“The Somali Government is on the right path in building its human rights machinery and today is an example; it’s a great initiative and this is a great collaboration between Somali Federal government and AMISOM in drafting the policy on child protection.” Said Ms Kaoutar Kaddouri.

AMISOM Chief of Staff Ambassador Epiphanie Kabushemeye Ntamwana welcomed the formulation of the policy saying this is a big milestone towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

“The African Union remains highly committed to taking concrete actions in supporting the Federal Government of Somalia to continue the efforts to tackle child issues and set relevant strategies to tackle them” said Ambassador Epiphanie.

AMISOM Protection, Gender and Human Rights Unit continues engagement with different stakeholders to support the process of developing policy and legislation that will protect the men, women and children of Somalia. Last year the Government supported by AMISOM drafted Gender policy which focused on four main areas, women economic empowerment, women participation in Politics, equal access for health and Education for men, women and children.

Communique of Ministerial Meeting on the Somali Refugee Situation commits to fresh impetus for durable solutions for Somali refugees

21 Aug – Source: Office of the Prime Minister – 807 words

Statement by the Governments of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda and Yemen; the African Union; the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development; the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia; the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa; and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees upon conclusion of Ministerial Meeting of the High Commissioner’s Global Initiative on Somali Refugees in Addis Ababa on 20 August 2014

1. We, as key stakeholders, express appreciation to the High Commissioner for having launched the Global Initiative on Somali Refugees (GISR) to catalyse fresh impetus for durable solutions for Somali refugees.

2. Through the ‘Addis Ababa Commitment towards Somali Refugees’, we reiterate our gratitude to the Governments and the people of the key asylum countries for their solidarity and hospitality extended to Somali refugees for decades. We resolutely reaffirm our commitment to maintain asylum and international protection for Somali refugees and to intensify the search for durable solutions for them.

3. Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Yemen together today host nearly one million Somali refugees. Another one million Somalis remain displaced internally within Somalia itself. In their more than two decades of exile, Somali refugees have received protection, been assisted and some even been able to rebuild their lives.

Yet, thousands have now for over two generations not had a future. Over time, their plight is even being forgotten as new situations elsewhere in Africa and globally have commanded greater attention. To keep forgetting their predicament is not forgivable. We must remain committed and engaged both within the region and internationally.

4. Emerging signs of stability in Somalia are heartening. The establishment of a government in Mogadishu, expedited state formation, progress towards holding elections in 2016 and the efforts of the Somali National Army with AMISOM to liberate areas within Somalia signify crucial progress. However, we remain gravely concerned about the security breaches, particularly terrorist attacks by al-Shabaab and other militia, which undermine the positive steps, perpetuate a fragile security situation, limit humanitarian assistance to displaced Somalis, risk the displacement of more Somalis and frustrate opportunities for the safe and sustainable return to their homes of Somali refugees and internally displaced persons many of whom are eager to do so.

5. The Somali Federal Government renews its determination to multiply all efforts for peace and political, social and economic stability and progress of Somalia and its people. As Somalia’s neighbours and partners, we renew our commitment to stand by and support Somalia and its long-suffering people. We call upon the international community at large to meaningfully support the capacity of the Somali Government to create peace, security, law and order, social and economic progress and sustainability in Somalia and address humanitarian imperatives including assuring food security for Somalia and basic services and amenities. These are also the conditions which will mitigate against new or additional displacement and make voluntary, safe and sustainable repatriation in significant numbers possible.

6. For Somalis who continue to need safety in exile, more comprehensive support should be extended to the asylum countries and host communities to strengthen asylum and international protection. All feasible and creative solutions should be explored and supported for refugees to realize themselves as full and self-reliant members of society who can meet their basic human and community needs. In particular, we call for further financial support and all other forms of increased solidarity and responsibility-sharing to meet basic human and social needs, link humanitarian assistance to development programmes and address the impacts of hosting refugees.

7. More opportunities for the resettlement of Somali refugees should be provided. Somali refugees who are spontaneously returning to their country should be supported to do so in all feasible ways so that they are not forced back into exile. The participation of the refugees themselves and of the Somali diaspora and the private sector at large should be increased.

8. For all these purposes, we hereby endorse a renewed engagement for Somali refugees which binds us to act in solidarity to address the imperatives of this pressing problem. At the heart of these commitments are guiding principles which emphasize the importance of the Somali Federal Government’s commitment in actions concerning Somali refugees, the imperative of continued support to host communities, the need to increase refugee participation and the Somali diaspora at large in future actions and to create differentiated solutions for a diverse refugee population, the benefits of considering new alternatives for long-staying refugees, and the importance of engaging new actors in the search for solutions.

9. We undertake to work with national, regional and international partners in a coordinated manner to give effect to the renewed commitments and outcomes of relevant sub-regional and regional meetings. We call upon the international community, through the Global Initiative on Somali Refugees, to commit to the renewed engagement and work together for a more meaningful life for Somali refugees.

SOMALI MEDIA

Somali PM says return of Somali refugees is significant contributions to the country

21 Aug – Source: Radio Mogadishu/RBC – 182 words

The Prime Minister of Somalia visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to deliberate the refugee state of affairs and launching the Global Initiative on Somali Refugees (GISR).

Adado security heightened ahead of the state formation conference

21 Aug- Source: Radio Bar-kulan/ Mogadishu Online- 163 words

Top officials from Himan and Heeb administration in central Somali region of Galgadud have stated to have arranged security details for the delegates that are going to participate in the upcoming conference on the formation of a central state for Mudug and Galgadud regions.

The conference is expected to be held in Adado town, the administrative capital of Himan and Heeb administration in central Somalia according to the officials.

Deputy President of Himan and Heeb administration Abdi Mohamed Ahmed-nur told Bar-kulan that his administration will step up measures to provide security for the delegates.

He added that the local population in Adado town had vowed to support the attempts of the security apparatus of the interim administration to heighten the security of the area.

Local administrations of Mudug and Galgadud regions in central Somalia signed an agreement in principle last month in Mogadishu with the intention of forming an interim state in central Somalia.

Somali warlord escapes from the city operation

21 Aug – Source: Somali Current/Radio Dalsan – 126 words

Former warlord Abdi Nur Siyad who has been earlier targeted by Somali security forces for disarmament security operation in Mogadishu has escaped from the capital and reached Guriel town in central Somalia.

Sources in Guriel town have confirmed the presence of Mr. Abdi Nur Siyad in the area but it is not clear which means of transport the former war lord has used to escape Somali intelligence trap. The former war lord is wanted by the government for illegal possession of weapons in the capital Mogadishu.

Federal government of Somalia security forces with the help from African union troops have launched a security operation mainly in the capital Mogadishu to disarm former warlords in an effort to improve security and secure the capital Mogadishu.

Lower Shabelle governor: SNA and AMISOM will advance to al Shabaab controlled areas

21 Aug- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 123 words

Federal government forces and African Union peacekeeping troops are preparing to move forward to capture new areas under al Shabaab in Lower Shabelle region.

The governor of Lower Shabelle region Abdikadir Mohamed Noor Sidii told Radio Goobjoog through the telephone that the joint forces are ready to carry out offensive military against al Shabaab.

The governor underlined that the military operations will reach Kuntuwaarey, Buulomarer, Brawe and other areas under al Shabaab in the region.

Mr. Sidii also stated that the security situation of some districts in the region like Qoryoley has improved since the federal government took the control from al Shabaab adding that the business activities are booming. SNA and AMISOM have taken over 10 districts since the offensive military against al Shabaab started earlier this year.

Attorney General orders security agencies to bring arrested individuals to court within 24-Hours

21 Aug- Source: Radio RBC/Radio Dalsan- 259 words

Somalia’s newly appointed Attorney General has ordered the security agencies to immediately allow the arrested individuals during the recent security operations to appear in a court within 24 hours starting fromWednesday.

In a letter addressed to the National Security Agencies, Dr Ahmed Ali Dahir highlighted the importance of maintaining the country’s laws through equal justice as he mentioned that any person detained by the security agencies during the recent disarmament operations have the right to get a fair trial.

“Following our call, the Security Agency sought court letters to allow them to hold the detained individuals needed for further investigations relating to their cases, and we order now that all those who are in jails currently should face trial within 24 hours without delay,” the letter from Dr Ahmed Ali Dahir which RBC Radio obtained a copy of it said.

Mr Dahir noted that regional court last week legalized the holding of three people- two journalists and the owner of radio Shabelle who were arrested for security incitement after the security forces and AMISOM conducted disarmament operation in Mogadishu. The Attorney General also rebuffed a recently circulated rumors claiming that the two journalists and the radio owner were tortured.

“The reports claiming that these three persons or any other prisoners were tortured are totally baseless and hold no evidence. The office of Attorney General conducted its legal procedures to make sure that no imprisoned person become subject to torture or other abuses.” the letter added.

Government forces in Baidoa besiege ADC building

21 Aug- Source: Radio Goobjoog/Saadaal News/Warqabad Online- – 128 words

Federal government forces in Baidoa have besieged ADC building , which at one point served as headquarters of transitional federal government led by former president Abullahi Yussuf which is now a base for SouthWest Somalia- six regions state.

Senior officials of South West Somalia administration who feel their administration is constitutional are inside the building. The forces ordered the officials and the elders inside ADC to vacate the building or face dire consequences but the officials in the building gave a deaf ear.

The recently appointed technical committee by federal government assigned to form the administration of South West three regional state have been in the town the last few days.

20 Somali nationals arrested in Angolan capital

21 Aug- Source: Radio Bar-kulan- 137 words

20 Somali nationals have been in arrested in the Angolan capital, Luanda following series of raids over the last few days against Somali nationals in several cities across the country.

Mohamed-dek Dhiblawe who is a member of the Somali community in Angola told Bar-kulan that some of the arrested are accused of living the country without proper documents. He added others are suspected of carrying out business activities in the country without government authorized licenses. He said the community members have already paid a visit to the detainees at the detention centers and are doing everything in their capacity to secure their release.

Dhiblawe stated that there are a significant number of Somali nationals in Angola while the federal government of Somalia does not have diplomatic mission in the country.

Landmine explosion in Kismayo hits ICRC vehicle

21 Aug- Source: Radio Goobjoog- 114 words

Reports from the port city of Kismayo states that landmine explosion hit an ICRC car in the heart of the city. No casualties reported so far, but the explosion destroyed some parts of the car, the driver and another person on board of the car survived the incident.

A Witness told Radio GoobJoog that interim Juba administration forces immediately reached the scene and launched operations to pursue and arrest those behind the explosion.

Interim Juba administration has not given any comment about the explosion ,but the explosion occurs a time IJA security forces imposed curfew on the city after delegations from UAE and Turkey arrived on Wednesday.

REGIONAL MEDIA

Kenya: Eastleigh business struggling to pick up after security operation

21 Aug- Source: Star-Kenya- 453 words

Businesses in Eastleigh are struggling since the start of the security operation dubbed ‘Operation Usalama Watch’, to flush out suspected al Shabaab insurgents from Nairobi. The Eastleigh Business Community said traders who used to get about 80 per cent returns on their investment before April are now barely making 30 per cent.

“We are in full support of the government efforts to eliminate al Shabaab in the country. But I wonder how the government intends to attract foreign investors if it is already scaring the local ones,” the chairman, Ibrahim Hussein told the Star.

A survey established that the clothing business which is dominant has been worst hit. Most malls in the area are empty a situation which those interviewed attributed to a drop in the number of cloth dealers.

How British terror suspect Jermaine Grant disclosed his true identity

20 Aug – Source: Standard Media – 170 words

Suspected British terror suspect Jermaine Grant revealed his nationality after being served a special meal of fried chicken and potatoes in a Kenyan police cell, a witness said Wednesday. CID detective Kennedy Opasi noted that the meal was a welcome relief from the routine prison diet of ugali or corn cake as Grant called it, which he was apparently allergic to.

When Grant was arrested in Kisauni on December 19, 2011, he initially lied to the police that he was a Canadian called Peter Joseph, according to Opasi. Opasi told the court at Shanzu, outside Mombasa, that the Briton appeared to react badly to the routine meal of ugali and beans served to inmates at Makupa Police Station in Mombasa.

Grant is accused of plotting to detonate explosives in Mombasa and his co-accused are his wife Warda Breik Islam, Fred Ngala and fugitive Fuad Abubakar Manswab. Warda and Fred are out of prison on bail while Fuad jumped bail and fled to Somalia. Grant is the sole defendant in jail.

Somali government launches maternal and child health initiatives

20 Aug- Source: Sabahi Online- 236 words

The Somali government in partnership with three United Nations agencies on Tuesday (August 19th) launched two key initiatives to reduce maternal and child mortality, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced.

The Mother and Child Health Acceleration Plan is intended to upgrade maternal and child health, and the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa will focus on reducing the number of preventable maternal fatalities.

“For too long we have failed to provide mothers and children with their basic rights to good health and good quality health care,” Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed said. “This government is committed to ensuring that this will change. The children are the future of our nation and we must give them every possible assistance to have a good start in life.” The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will also support Somalia in these initiatives.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Ministerial meeting reaffirms commitment to solving Somalia crisis

21 Aug- Source: UNHCR- 289 words

Participants at a ministerial meeting co-chaired by UNHCR in Addis Ababa on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to find solutions for hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees and called on the international community to help the Somali government in its efforts to restore peace and progress.

The commitment came in a communiqué released at the end of the meeting, attended by UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres and ministers of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda and Yemen, which together host nearly 1 million Somali refugees. Another 1 million Somalis remain displaced within Somalia. Also present were the UN Special Representative on Somalia and representatives of the African Union; the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development; and the UN Economic Commission for Africa;

“We hereby endorse a renewed engagement for Somali refugees which binds us to act in solidarity to address the imperatives of this pressing problem. At the heart of these commitments are guiding principles which emphasize the importance of the Somali Federal Government’s commitment in actions concerning Somali refugees, the imperative of continued support to host communities, the need to increase refugee participation in future actions and to create differentiated solutions for a diverse refugee population, the benefits of considering new alternatives for long-staying refugees, and the importance of engaging new actors in the search for solutions,” the communiqué said.

Kenyan police produce Westgate attackers’ weapon in court as evidence

20 Aug – Source: AFP – 176 words

Kenyan police on Wednesday produced a small arsenal of weapons recovered after last year’s Nairobi Westgate shopping attack in the ongoing trial of four men accused of helping the gunmen.

Police said they have evidence from people who were at the mall when the gunmen from Somalia’s al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab launched their attack in September 2013, killing at least 67 people and wounding more than 200 others.

Police firearm expert Lawrence Nthiwa produced a report detailing the weapons “recovered from the terrorist attack” in the wreckage of the up market mall, which included remains of eight damaged assault rifles.

The arms were displayed in a bundle in court room during the proceedings. But he said it had not been so far possible to determine if the rifles examined had belonged to the attackers believed to have numbered just four or from the security forces who spent days in firefights trying to end the siege.

Nthiwa said he had examined evidence gathered after the four-day siege, including almost a thousand spent cartridge cases as well as fired bullets.

SOCIAL MEDIA

CULTURE / OPINION / EDITORIAL / ANALYSIS / BLOGS/ DISCUSSION BOARDS

“Getting the chance to work for my country has made me realise even more the potential of Somalia as a hub for cultural exchange, trade, agriculture and industry. Through my work with Oxfam, I see the resilience and fortitude of my fellow Somalis. In the people we serve through our humanitarian and development work we see the hope of a better future for Somalia.”

Somaliland: The Eye Opener: Hope in the land of Somalis

20 Aug- Source: Somaliland Sun-403 Words

“Having been traveling back home to Somalia since childhood, spending several months during my summer breaks, I never changed my taste for the Somali breakfast of fried liver and anjero (Somali pancakes) and perfectly cooled grapefruit juice.

There is no trip where I fail to rush to the downtown souk (market) where the alleys are filled with colorful market stalls, where women sit out in the streets with chests of jewellery and the moneychangers lounge on the side walk with massive piles of Somali shillings stacked in front of them. Not to mention the high end shops in the main cities of Mogadishu and Garowe where the silky Somali dirac dresses from Dubai and Tokyo are displayed.

As you walk, the number of young Somali girls going to school cannot be missed and many youth indulging with artwork and other pastimes. The glimpse of hope in the eyes of Somali youth is a reason for all of us to do our best to see a better Somalia. The vast majority of Somalis just want to see peace and their children to have a better future.

Six Things To Know About U.S.-Somalia Relations

19 Aug- Source: US State Department Blog-830 Words

1. Landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) are scattered throughout Somalia as a result of years of civil war and internal conflicts.Since 1998, the United States has invested nearly $19 million in conventional weapons destruction programs in Somalia, including nearly $4 million in FY2013 from the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. This humanitarian demining support has drastically reduced the amount of contamination in the Somaliland region of Somalia, as well as the number of mine-related accidents. Somalialand is on track to be free from the impact of landmines by 2017. The United States partners with NGOs and their locally-hired Somali staff for their expert capabilities and determined bravery in the face of this vital but dangerous work. Their commitment to rid their homeland of landmines has resulted in the safe clearance of more than 310 minefields and battle areas since the program began.

2. Al-Shabaab’s access to poorly secured weapons stockpiles aggravates violence, fuels crime, and poses a threat to security in Somalia and throughout the Horn of Africa. The abandoned stockpiles of arms and munitions routinely found near civilian populations around major cities, such as Mogadishu, are a constant risk for illicit arms trafficking across Somalia’s porous borders. They also fuel al Shabaab’s terrorist activities, including the attack on a United Nations office in June 2013. PM/WRA supports our implementing partners, like the Danish Demining Group and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), to improve the physical security and stockpiles management capacity of Somalia’s security services. MAG, supported by PM/WRA, built and reinforced over 40 armories throughout Somalia in 2013.

Top tweets

‏@SomaliaNewsroom #UAE delegation reaches #Kismayo for talks with #IJA/#Jubaland head Ahmed Madobe about development projects. #Somalia pic.twitter.com/TiWaLVIZKs

@BeilehMofa Meeting of stakeholders regarding Somali refugees with @UNHCRSom and neighbouring nations went well today @Somalia111 pic.twitter.com/ovdupZtPeX

@amisomsomalia #AMISOM & FGS conclude a conference on the role of #Somalia civil society in the implementation of Vision 2016 http://bit.ly/1tjFtp8

@UNSomalia Addis Ababa Ministerial Meeting reaffirms commitment to solving #Somali refugee crisis:http://bit.ly/VFIzGq via @Refugees

@Abdikhakim Passengers sitting under tree as they wait to board next flight 2 Mogadishu. Only in Galkackyo #Somalia pic.twitter.com/8PTdV7Exqf

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Image of the day

Image of the day Acting Special Envoy to Somalia Lydia Wanyoto (right) talks to Somalia Ambassador to Uganda Saidi Dahir centre) while Omar Alasow looks on, during the International Human Rights ToT workshop for senior Somalia army officers at Commonwealth Speke Resort Munyonyo.